Braving the bone-chilling winds atop Treasure Island on Thursday, a small group of workers ran spools of wire, set up launching boxes and put other finishing touches on the fireworks show that will welcome 2011 tonight.

The myth lives on that alcohol protects men and women from overexposure to cold weather. As the mercury and wind chill threaten to bring frigid temperatures to New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas, medical practitioners are reminding revelers who plan to parade scantily clad down the Strip that tequila is no substitute for a warm coat, gloves and hat.